Wash. Court Protects Worker's Third-Party Award

Washington's Department of Labor and Industries is not entitled to a portion of an injured worker's third-party recovery, according to an appellate court's ruling. The Washington Court of Appeals affirmed a superior court's ruling denying the Department of Labor and Industries' (L&I) suit seeking reimbursement from an injured worker who won third-party pain and suffering damages. The published opinion is named Tobin v. Dept. of Labor & Industries, No. 36031-4-II, 7/1/08. Jim Tobin was employed by Saybr Contractors, Inc., in June 2003, when a crane boom unexpectedly ...